New State Creation: Cross River, Rivers In Support, Akwa Ibom Divided

As agitation for new states creations heighten public discuss and begins to set a historical pathway that will in turn influenced the narrative of geopolitical zones in Nigeria, Cross River, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States, have made their standpoint and showcase their various regional interest before the Committee on the review of the 1999 constitution (as amended) in Calabar.

Presenting their memorandum before the South-South Center B Committee headed by Rt. Hon. Chinda Kingsley Ogundu at the Public Hearing of the review of the 1999 constitution held on Saturday 18 July, 2025, in Calabar, Cross River State, four new states were agitated to be created from three existing states.

These proposed four states are Ogoja State from Cross River State, Obolo State from Akwa Ibom State, Atlantic City and Bori State both from Rivers State.

Agitating for Ogoja State creation, the former Attorney General of the Federation and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kanu Godwin Agabi told the the committee that “The condition of the minority people of the proposed Ogoja state has never improved as they continue to suffer from under development, poor social amenities such as electricity, education, health and bad roads that had led citizens in the zone into despair.”

He said: “I am 79 years old, and I feel sorry that since that time, the condition of my people have not improve. With this prayer, I present to you the memorandum of my people agitating for the creation of Ogoja state,” He prayed.

In their presentation, areas map out for the proposed Ogoja state include nine(9) local government areas from the eighteen (18) local government areas in Cross River State

There are Obubra, Ikom, Etung, Boki, Ogoja, Bekwarra, Yala, Obudu and Obanliku local government areas.

Rivers State also took turned to present their agitations for the creation of “Atlantic City State” and “Bori State” while some section of Akwa Ibom agitators displayed a conflict of interest between the Esiet Obolo people who seek for the creation of Obolo State and Ibibio people saying no to the annexation of Ibibio land for the creation of Obolo State.

There were also various proposals including the creation of more local government area, local government autonomy, inclusion of women and the physical challenge people in governance, welfare of Nigeria teachers and the traditional rulers institutions.

Responding to their prayers, the Chairman of the sub committee, South-South Centre B and Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representative Rt. Hon. Chinda Kingsley Ogundu appreciated participants for organizing themselves through out the hearing process and assured them that the committee will take their request and instructions to the House of representative.

He also presented the compendium of bills sponsored by some members of the House of representative to cover 13 thematic areas, which they include; electoral reform, judiciary reform, the legislature, inclusive governance, security and policing, devolution of power, strengthening of institutions, traditional institution, physical reform, citizenship, fundamental human right, local government reform and state creation among others.

While welcoming the Committees and participants, the Executive Governor of Cross River State Sen. Bassey Otu who was represented by his Deputy Rt. Hon. Peter Odey explained that any document that governs the lives of over 2 million people must reflect their contemporary needs and protection of the people it is governing.

He words: ”the fundamental right of every citizens of Nigeria ought to be protected, the idea of state policing is the right time and this is the time. We believe very strongly that it is not only the military that create states and local government for Nigerian, that by this meeting we are meeting here, states will be created from this region.”

There were goodwill messages from representative of government bodies, society groups, institutions and interest groups.

The public hearing on the review of the 1999 constitution was attended by top government officials, lawmakers, past and present stakeholders, traditional leaders, women and youth from the three states.